I want my kids to know and understand holidays, but being 2 & 4 they don't quite yet "get it." I explained to them several times that Memorial Day is for honoring those who serve today (like Daddy and so many of our friends), served in the past (like Papa, Uncle Ken and Aunt Karen, and a host of our friends) and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and died serving our country. Yes, they are definitely too young for that last category. It just started a whole discussion that included death, heaven, God, Nanny, Aunt Irene, and burials. Hopefully our lengthy discussions will one day be effective...
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We had an absolutely wonderful weekend!
It began with Daddy getting home early on Friday! We went strawberry picking and Daddy actually was home prepping the mower when we returned just after 3! Yippie!! We had the Norman family over for dinner... chicken on the grill with salad, sweet potatoes and mac-n-cheese. Jemma, Marisa and James had fun playing together and the adults got to visit and chat. We love having them over to visit!
On Saturday, we went to the Pungo Strawberry Festival. We saw the parade, watched the pig races, ate strawberry shortcake, saw the clowns perform, then watched the pig races again. Jemma said her favorite part of the day was the pig races. James said his favorite part of the day was the instruments. (They had 4 marching bands from local schools... Jemma covered her ears and James got all excited and clapped!) 
We left home Sunday morning bound for Annapolis. We had a picnic lunch and then headed for our pirate adventure (see the movie clip on the Family Tree blog). 
A bit of training before boarding the ship:
See Jemma manning the cannon... we had to get the key from the bad Pirate Pete!
Reading the treasure map:
The kids getting their part of the buried treasure:
James after drinking the "grog" (know to adults as Sunkist)
After the pirate adventure, we walked around the Naval Academy grounds. I wanted to show the kids the chapel where we were married, but there were weddings. So, we saw the outside and several brides! Here is Daddy with Jemma and James in front of Bill the Goat.
After the pirate adventure, we walked around the Naval Academy grounds. I wanted to show the kids the chapel where we were married, but there were weddings. So, we saw the outside and several brides! Here is Daddy with Jemma and James in front of Bill the Goat.We were so lucky to have Tracy come up to visit with us! :) We had dinner at the Ramshead Tavern... yummy! Then, we were all in bed by 9... what a long, fun day!
On Monday, we headed to the National Zoo. I wanted to take the kids before the weather turned too hot. We arrived before 10, which is the opening of the zoo. The panda was eating bamboo and he was so cute! We saw the hippopotamus (James' favorite) as he ate his breakfast. Then, we watched the elephant get a bath (Jemma's favorite). 
Best of all, Olivia and Jason were able to come spend the day with us at the zoo. We had such a lovely time walking around, seeing the animals and talking. We departed DC just before 2. James was asleep before we hit VA!
Best of all, Olivia and Jason were able to come spend the day with us at the zoo. We had such a lovely time walking around, seeing the animals and talking. We departed DC just before 2. James was asleep before we hit VA!On our way home, we stopped by Williamsburg to visit our friends Brien, Rachel and Lily. I love seeing our kids have fun and they had a blast! 
We ate dinner with them and visited for almost three hours. Time certainly flies when you are having fun! The kids got dirty from head to toe, so we put all three kids in the tub before leaving... it was dirty, dirty water when they got out. I thought that since it was 8 (bedtime) that they would fall asleep on the way home, but they were still awake when we pulled into the drive!
We ate dinner with them and visited for almost three hours. Time certainly flies when you are having fun! The kids got dirty from head to toe, so we put all three kids in the tub before leaving... it was dirty, dirty water when they got out. I thought that since it was 8 (bedtime) that they would fall asleep on the way home, but they were still awake when we pulled into the drive! It was a truly wonderful weekend. Thank you to all our service members!! :)
